Wiley University's 2024 Honors Convocation Program Booklet

Honors

CONVOCATION 2 0 2 4

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 11:00am | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel PRESIDENT & CEO HERMAN J. FELTON, JR., PH.D., J.D. DR. JOANN SCALES, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND STRATEGIC RETENTION

Convocation Reception

Please join President Felton and our Honors Convocation Keynote Speaker Dr. Samaad Wes Keys for a special reception in the Ballroom at 3:00 pm today. We look forward to celebrating you and your family and friends.

Academic Scholars

Students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance are honored each spring semester. They are students who earned the following averages while carrying at least 12 hours: President’s List (GPA 3.80 to 4.00), Dean’s List (GPA 3.50 to 3.79), and Faculty’s List (GPA 3.30 to 3.49).

About Wiley University

Wiley University, located in Marshall, Texas, is one of the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities established in the Lone Star State. In 1873, less than eight years after all hostilities were quieted from the Civil War, the Freedman’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church founded Wiley University near Marshall, Texas - for the purpose of allowing Negro youth the opportunity to pursue higher learning in the arts, sciences, and other professions. The institution was named after Bishop Isaac Wiley of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Campus Mission: Wiley University is a premier liberal arts institution, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, with an intentional focus on social good and leadership.

Vision Statement: Wiley University is a nationally recognized liberal arts university serving as a beacon of light inspiring individuals to serve as catalysts of social change in their community and professions.

Honors Convocation

ADDRESS

Dr. Samaad Wes Keys is a luminary in higher education, widely recognized for his transformative work promoting equity and inclusivity. As a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Keys plays a pivotal role in shaping the scaling of transformative practices and policies that will improve outcomes for Black, Latino, and Indigenous students and students from low-income backgrounds.

Dr. Samaad Wes Keys

Senior Program Officer Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Holding a Ph.D. in Higher Education with a focus on administration and public policy from the University of Georgia, Dr. Keys has dedicated his career to fostering institutional change. His expertise spans a broad spectrum of higher education areas, including curriculum development, faculty diversification, policy reform, and the enhancement of student success strategies. He is particularly noted for his work in devising and implementing innovative programs that address systemic barriers faced by underrepresented groups in academia.

Dr. Keys' approach to equity in education is multifaceted, involving strategic planning, community engagement, and implementing evidence-based practices. His efforts at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have significantly influenced how educational institutions approach diversity and inclusion, leading to impactful changes across numerous universities and educational bodies.

In addition to his role at the Foundation, Dr. Keys is a respected researcher and practitioner. His publications have helped to address the historical underfunding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and have also lent itself to highlighting the challenges impeding student success for Black, Latino, and Indigenous students and students from low-income backgrounds. These works are celebrated for their contribution to academic discourse and policy-making.

Dr. Keys’ commitment to transforming the higher education landscape into a more inclusive and just environment is evident in his professional achievements and his mentorship and guidance to the next generation of educators and administrators. His work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and beyond continues to inspire and drive systemic change in education in the United States and worldwide.

Order of Program

Order of Program Processional Call to Order and Occasion Dr. JoAnn Scales Vice President for Academic Affairs and Strategic Retention Invocation Rev. Dr. Cecil Duffie Dean of Chapel Heritage Anthem (Please Stand) The A Cappella Choir of Wiley University Opening Remarks and Welcome Dr. Herman J. Felton Jr. 17th President and CEO of Wiley University Acknowledgment of Student Leadership Recognition Dr. Keyona White Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Executive Director | Heman Sweatt Center for Social Good and Leadership Wiley University Honors Convocation Charge Ms. Gaelle Amazon AVP for Strategic Retention

Musical Selection The A Cappella Choir of Wiley University “Jesus, What a Mighty Name”

By Kim Noblitt and Robert Elkin Mr. Bruce Thompson, Director of Choral Music Walkterrius Nelson, Soloist Ms. Lydia Garcia, Accompanist Honors Convocation Address Dr. Samaad Wes Keys Senior Program Officer Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Presentation Dr. Herman J. Felton Jr. 17th President and CEO of Wiley University Student Scholar Recognition Dr. Parris Carter Dean of Graduate Studies Special Awards Ambassador of Tomorrow Award Academic Persistence Award Dr. Parris Carter Dean of Graduate Studies Excellence in Athletics Award Athletic Director Rafael Gonzalez

Musical Selection The A Cappella Choir of Wiley University “Little Lamb” Mr. Bruce Thompson, Director of Choral Music arr. Bartholomew/Thompson Ms. Lydia Garcia, Accompanist

Closing Remarks Dr. Herman J. Felton Jr. 17th President and CEO of Wiley University

Introduction of the Speaker Ms. Jadyn McDonald Heman Sweatt Scholar

Benediction Rev. Dr. Cecil Duffie Dean of Chapel

Alma Mater (Please Stand) The A Cappella Choir of Wiley University

Recessional

Faculty’s List GPA: 3.30 to 3.49

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Dean’s List

GPA: 3.50 to 3.79

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President’s List GPA: 3.80 to 4.00

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Special Awards Ambassador of Tomorrow Award

Excellence in Athletics Award

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Special Awards (cont’d)

Academic Persistence Award

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"Lift Every Voice and Sing" Lift Every Voice And Sing, till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet, Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee.

Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.

Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land.

"Oh Wiley Dear" Oh Wiley dear, ever we’ll sing thy praise; With love and rapture our voices we’ll raise.

Our hearts are all swelling with joy sublime; We’ll cherish thee till the end of time.

We’ll cherish thee till the end of time.

Oh Lord, we pray, may our dear Wiley stand; A beacon light shining o’er our dear land.

And may her sons, with steadfast purpose true; Go Forth Inspired glorious deeds to do.

Go Forth Inspired glorious deeds to do.

Written By: William Henry Smith

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